I have an old PM 63 table saw and the Harbor freight jointer and this happens on both of them. I realize they’re not exactly the highest quality tools, but does anybody have a trick to keep the fences from moving when you lock them down?

12 replies so far

By definition, the fence should not move once it’s “locked down”. The only time I’ve seen movement is on fences, particularly on jointers, that only attach at one end (infeed side) and have the opposite end (outfeed side) free. My Boice-Crane jointer solved that problem by adding a rear fence lock to rigidly hold both ends. I would suggest looking at your fence and seeing if there is an adjustment that can be made to snug it up when locked. Otherwise, you may have to live with it or figure out an “in-field modification” that prevents movement.

Price, are you saying that after you’ve locked the fence down it will move, or that it moves sightly as you are locking it in place?

The first is a problem, and there should be an adjustment to allow you to increase the tension as Brad said.

The second is pretty typical (at least the few saws I’ve used do this), as you slide the fence it can go slightly out of perpendicular with the rail (cocked at an angle) and as you lock it down it pulls the fence against the rail and squares it up. If this is the case I usually snug it down to square it up, and then bump it into final position before locking it. There is probably a way to tighten it up to minimize this, but if you take it too far the fence will be hard to slide when unlocked.

It moves as I’m locking it. The jointer fence is the one I’ve been messing with most recently. It only attaches to the bed on one side and when I’m trying to square it I get it all nice and lined up, then tighten the lock and the torque of the lock against the fence moves it out of square.

I have 20 year old powermatic 63 with a Vega fence (it was the standard fence back then). I have no issues with it moving once locked down. Perhaps your fence has some worn parts or the locking mechanism needs to be adjusted.as jmos said the fence will “move” to get squared once you slide and lock it- but once squared and in place it should lock solid.

The fence moving while locking it down is normal. Set your jointer fence so you can see a tiny bit of space at the bottom of the square then tighten it down. I don’t know of a jointer where this problem is fixed, I’m sure there’s one out there though.If there were to be a jointer with a pivoting arm and the lock on the side of that arm the problem would be solved.

-- --Tyrone - BC, Canada "Nothing is ever perfect, we just run out of time."

Yeah, the TS fence is a little easier, loosened some nuts and bolts and what not, I think I got that one, but this jointer fence…

This is what is happening. I put the square on the jointer bed and fence. Move the fence until there is no daylight and both ends of the square are sitting on the table (square). I go to tighten the fence lock and the force that the lock puts on the fence moves it out of square slightly before locking it in place. I’m not putting silverback super mountain gorilla torque on the lock, just enough to keep the fence from moving when I put a little pressure on the work I want to run thru it.

Hey Price, I’m new to Ljocks so I thought I’d add some input. Cant help w ur jointer problem, sorry dont have one, I use my planer. However, Ive been using my late Dads Craftsman tablesaw for about 50 of my 61 years. Its about 60 yrs old w/ cast iron table, 8” blade and still runs like a champ. Even with a wobbly fence and original motor. At any rate what worked for me as far as rough cuts was to set the fence, then place the palm of your hand on top of the fence and push it down to the table, and lock it. As I said this worked for rough cuts For finer work I use my squares and tape measure but I still use the palm method. Worth a try? Ripp

my jointer dos not move at all while locking so i don’t know how to help you but the table saw mine moves exactly the same way every time it is moved so when i added my Wixey table saw measuring tool it showed me exactly how much the fence moved when i would tighten it so i just compensate for the exact move and it is dead on every tome now. I was also able to reduce this movement buy playing very carefully with the lock. you may find the same is true with your Jointer fence it may be able to measure the movement or use a clamp to hold it in position while you lock her down

My Powermatic 66 fence moves a bit when I start to lock it down if the fence isnt paralllel to the blade. I usually start to lock it and the fence will straighten itself out so its parallel to the blade, then I put just a bit of tension on it (usually just the weight of the locking handle will do it.) I then move it into place and finish locking it.

I’ve never had a problem with the jointer fence moving when locking down.. is there a washer between the locking lever and table? If not, that might help as the lever will clamp down and spin on the washer instead of moving the fence. Also, does your HF jointer have the auto-stops for 45 and 90 degrees? They make it super simple to dial in a perfect square that is repeatable between fence angle changes. You should be able to set it accurately, rotate the fence and lock it down while holding it against the stop. Just some stabs.. not being able to see and touch the problem makes it kind of difficult :)